Kool-Aid Hair Color: How To Dye Your Hair With Kool-Aid

When I think about Kool-Aid, I think about hot summer days as a kid in southern California. I would be playing outside with my cousins all day long and my aunt would make a fresh pitcher of Kool-Aid for us to drink. I’m sure many of you have similar memories come to mind when we talk about Kool-Aid. But did you know that you could color your hair with Kool-Aid hair color?

I remember briefly hearing about this concept a while back, but never really took the time to look into it. But now I wanted to see what it was all about and I want to teach you all about using Kool-Aid as a hair color.

💡TIP: Pin this article to your Hair Color board so you can always come back to it when you need to!

How Does Kool-Aid Hair Color Work?

Kool-Aid works as a semi-permanent hair color. Semi-permanent color usually contains large and small color molecules that will mostly adhere to the outer layer of the hair shaft, while the smaller ones will penetrate into the cortex. If you bleach your hair first (which makes it porous like a sponge), your hair will absorb the color more. Developer is not needed for semi-permanent color.

**Remember to only use the unsweetened packets; otherwise your hair will be a sticky mess.

How Long Does It Last?

This answer really comes down to how often you shampoo your hair. Typically, semi-permanent colors last about 4-8 shampoos, but I have read that Kool-Aid hair color can last up to a month. Every time you wash your hair, the product will run out and the color will fade out a little more.

Is It Safe For My Hair?

Absolutely. You are not changing anything structurally with your hair and not you aren’t using chemicals. All you are doing is coating the hair with a temporary dye. It will not cause any damage, unless you bleach it first.

What Colors Are Available?

There are also so many combinations and you can view them online. Tropical Punch is great for a brighter red, while cherry works for a deeper red. Mixing strawberry and grape can make a purplish red. You will have to experiment by mixing different colors together and pick what color works for you.

What Supplies Are Required?

• Old towels that you don’t mind ruining
• Gloves! The color will stain your hands
• 3-6 Unsweetened Kool-Aid packets of your choice
• Conditioner and shampoo
• Wide tooth comb
• Color brush
• Tin foil if you are going to do highlights
• Plastic cling wrap
• Tape

What Is The Procedure?

1. First thing to do is put gloves on. You’ll be sorry if you don’t.
2. Next, mix the packets of Kool-Aid in a bowl. Make sure they are unsweetened so your hair is not sticky, and artificially sweetener has chemicals that are bad for your eyes. Add a few drops of water to the bowl, so the concoction is a paste, not a liquid.
3. Next mix some conditioner in with the Kool-Aid and water paste. This helps it pastier and easier to spread on your hair. Make sure you mix it all together well, so there are no clumps left.
4. Remember that Kool-Aid can stain fabric, so make sure you are wearing old clothes that you don’t mind ruining or wrap a towel around you.
5. Next, apply the paste to your hair. Start from the root and work your way down towards the ends. Apply it in small subsections to make sure your hair is completely covered. Use your fingers (with gloves on) to work the product into your ends.
6. Wrap your hair in plastic cling wrap to seal in the heat. A plastic shower cap will also work.
7. Some people process it for a little while, but most people sleep with it in their hair. This makes sure that your hair absorbs as much as possible. The longer you leave it in, the more vibrant it will be.
8. When you rinse it out, do NOT use shampoo. Just apply conditioner and rinse again…..

Finally, let your hair dry, and Voila! You now have Kool-Aid colored hair!

How Do I Get It Off My Skin?

Shaving cream and toothpaste are known to take the stain off your skin. Remember that the longer the stain sits, the harder it will be to get off. Apply the toothpaste / shaving cream to the area that is stained, and rub it in like soap. Rinse it off when you are done, and it should be gone.

If you bleach your sink or bathtub with Kool-Aid, use bleach and water to get it off.

What Else Should I Know About Kool-Aid Hair Color?

• If your hair is dark to begin with, Kool-Aid will just slightly tint it, not lighten it.
• If your hair is light to begin with, it will be more vibrant.
• If your hair is chemically damaged (bleached, permed, etc.), it will absorb the color a lot more and will last a lot longer.
• If you spill this color on carpet, it will probably never come out. Please be careful!

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Have you ever tried Kool-Aid hair color? What were the results? I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments section below…